Charlton’s Ben Garner Makes Imps “Counter Attack” Claim

On Saturday, we drew to fellow League One side Charlton side at home in a rather boring goalless draw.

Charlton Athletic manager Ben Garner has made some interesting comments about City in his recent post-match interview following the game, claiming that his team did more than enough to win the game and that we rode our luck on multiple occasions.

Garner left Swindon Town in the summer to take over the London based club as they look to work their way back to the Championship. Despite a number of signing’s, Charlton sit only eleventh in the league, two points ahead of City with two more games played. His side did secure themselves a first league win in eight games last night however with an impressive 4-2 victory over Exeter City, with ex-imp Jack Payne securing the win late on after coming on from the bench.

Post-match on Saturday, Garner was outspoken about the Imps’ playing style and claimed that they had to play as if they were the home side.

“Defensively we were very good and thoroughly deserved the clean sheet, which is a positive. We haven’t had enough of what we’d want in terms of that. I thought we controlled long periods of the game. We had to play like the home team.

“They sat in a mid, low block. They try and frustrate you and counterattack. We really restricted them. JoJo only had the one save. It would have been nice to create a little bit more and get the goals.“

Garner also took time out to speak on a number of decisions that he believes went against his side, including a number of potential penalty incidents.

“We had opportunities. We had a three v one break in the first half which doesn’t go down as a shot or a chance, but it is. A little pass and someone is clean through. We had penalty appeals that we don’t get.

“I don’t know if [Leaburn’s chance] went over the line or not. We’ve had no luck today”